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“She’d prefer water,” I say auto to h and aht now”

She hands nancy Feeling tired?”

I nod

We sit in silence for a few minutes while I drinkthrough her veins, a soothing sound that I’ve learned to put into the background

"What did you want to ask?” Bayla’s face is guarded but kind

I shrug “I was curious about the birthing process in general” I s “I watched the hologra that are not human-Zandian mixes?”

She smiles “One Zandian-Zandian, as well A Zandian fe this solar cycle”

I nod “Have you ever learned about other young? They stay pregnant for different tiht?”

She quirks a brow, and to s have different gestation periods For instance, the Tellurians have a gestation period of merely twoof the transport owner back on Hectan-3

I nod and tap ht?”

She blinks “What’s your question, Danica?”

“What if, say”—I take a deep breath—“what if a cruel species ood?” I trail off, clenching one hand in the other

She touches ers “Danica?”

I shake , you know?”

She sighs “Well, anything is possible, I suppose But without experience, it’s impossible to predict”